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A comparison between predictions of dimensional analysis for the constant‐flux layer and observations in unstable conditions
Author(s) -
Swinbank W. C.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
quarterly journal of the royal meteorological society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.744
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1477-870X
pISSN - 0035-9009
DOI - 10.1002/qj.49709440203
Subject(s) - constant (computer programming) , flux (metallurgy) , momentum (technical analysis) , physics , layer (electronics) , heat flux , connection (principal bundle) , mathematics , thermodynamics , geometry , heat transfer , materials science , computer science , finance , economics , programming language , metallurgy , composite material
A number of relationships are derived by dimensional arguments which connect the vertical fluxes of heat and horizontal momentum in the ‘constant‐flux’ layer with the other relevant variables. Observations, all made in unstable conditions, are used to test the correctness of the predicted relationships and to determine their functional form. In particular, it is found that δθ/δz = −1.42θ u * 2(gz 2 ) −1 ( z / L ) 0.56 and K H / K M = 2·7 ( z / L ) 1/4 . The analysis emphasises the intimate connection between the transfers of the two quantities.